Russian President Vladimir Putin began a three-day visit to India on Friday.
Coming after a two-year gap, the visit is aimed at providing new impetus to an old friendship by expanding business, energy and traditional military ties.
Indo-Russian ties go back a long way. The former Soviet Union was the major arms supplier to India after Independence and during the Cold War.
Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues after which the two signed a joint declaration.
Among other things, India will join the Global Satellite Navigation System promoted by Russia.
Photo: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images
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Putin's 2002 visit